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jason

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Posts posted by jason

    Cartopping 3 boats

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    I agree when it's bolted on. As you might guess I'm not certain that my Thule foot pack clamp will never let go of the car. Hence, bow and stern lines.

    I stopped using the factory racks on my old pilot when I took the plastic cover off to find the front right welds had separated.

    I feel better with the Tundra where I have 8' between the bars and the bows are behind the front window and ride upside down.

    PFD question

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    OK, guys, so is there a downside for getting the Greenjacket for SK trips? Do I still need to wear a longtow belt, or is there some way to get enough line (somewhere) into the PFD?

    For a long tow you still want a normal tow belt. The white water cow tails are two high on the body to be conferrable for an extended towing session.

    PFD question

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    I have the Seawolf and agree with Rick on the high quality and functionality and stellar comfort. I have a fairly large Standard Horizon and fit it horizontally in the '"handwarmer pocket" below the large capacity single front pocket. I secure the VHF with a lanyard and attach same to PFD via small carabiner.

    The front pocket easily holds 3 blazers, 1 laser-flare, on-water boat repair kit (denso-tape and small vial with Epoxy), 2 energy bars, compass, sunlotion-stick, without changing the profile of the PFD significantly.

    You can easily rig the Kokatat hydration system on the back, I have no experience with other hydration systems.

    I don't carry my knife in the place designed for it but have attached it vertically to the left shoulder strap (righty). The side pockets hold surf-wax for quick minor boat repair on one side and a bridle for assisted re-entry in the other (latter has served me as a belaying anchor during a difficult landing). I find the side pockets are easily reached. I have used the Seawolf without issues in every situation, including cowboy rescue. As mentioned, the profile is flat and the VHF is well protected in the horizontal pocket under the large front pocket while sliding along the deck.

    The Seawolf is about 60-70 $ cheaper but doesn't have the short-tow option. Other than that, the 2 are essentially no different. If I had the choice, I'd probably go for the Greenjacket, but only for the cool looks :).

    The Greenjacket is a lot stronger in that it's a proper river rescue vest. The shoulders and other parts of the vest are designed to be attachment points.

    If you need to do a river rescue as rescuer or the one needing rescuing having a proper Rescue vest makes the world of difference. After taking a 3 day swift water rescue class I feel much better when everybody on the river has a rescue vest.

    PFD question

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    I'm looking for a new PFD to contain and organize my collection of 'stuff' and hopefully integrate a tow line. Does anybody have first-hand experience with the Astral 'Greenjacket' and how it works for sea kayaking. I'm also looking at their 'Seawolf' but would be curious to hear about any other PFD folks have found to work well for leading trips.

    Many people really like it, I found that it runs rather small. If it fits you it's a respectable river/ocean lifejacket. You also might look at the new Kokatat that came out this year ( http://kokatat.com/products/pfd/maximus-centurion.html). I am hoping to try one on and see if it fits me...

    How to decide how far to place forward bulk head wall in a custom build

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Thanks everyone for your input. Very appreciated.

    I forgot to mention that I would intend on using a light board across my foot pegs and currently there is 7" between the foot peg and the bulk head. It's good for a water bladder since the seat has a large foam block behind it preventing much of any gear to be stowed there.

    Also, the idea of resale and another person possibly using the boat were considerations.

    Just pulled the trigger and will wait for the final product. Very exciting!

    Karen

    If you change your mind you can always have Carl change it out. He does a great job where you can't tell if it's factory or not.

    JetBoil Stove

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    I researched these over the winter and ended up getting the JetBoil MiniMo, having been swayed by the enhanced simmer control and the possibility of cooking food, rather than just boiling water.

    The issue with cooking food in the jetboil isn't the flame height, it's that the flame is very concentrated against a very thin cooking surface. For heating water my jet boil is great. For cooking it has no value (unless you are into burnt stuck on food).

    Cohasset Tidal Rip

    in Trip Reports

    Posted

    It's a great wave, if you don't live on the south shore it always seems like a long drive.

    Not only is it fun for people that have been doing it for years, It's a nice learning environment for people that want to learn as you quickly wash out into a very forgiving area.

    Giving back to the sport

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    Disclaimer: I have not sought any BCU or ACA certification. I am not a lawyer. I am not an officer of NSPN or the AMC.

    I know of no legal requirement in the USA to hold a BCU certification to coach kayaking for free. Though I believe you would need to be a Maine Guide to receive any remuneration for accompanying or assisting a kayaker in Maine. Nor so far as I know does NSPN or the AMC require any BCU certification to coach kayaking. The NH AMC White Water school normally announces that the instructors are generally NOT certified coaches, just fellow paddlers trying to pass it forward.

    However, when you applied for a BCU certification you might have agreed to comply with BCU policies. Those policies might require you to hold whatever BCU coaching certification is required by BCU for the coaching you wish to perform.

    http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/coaching/coaches-responsibilities/

    Includes the line:

    I don't know, but I would not be surprised if the BCU 4* sea paperwork required you to make a similar declaration. That would give other BCU coaches who know you have a BCU certification a basis for their nasty-grams that you were not complying with your agreement with BCU. Some commercial coaches who have spent considerable time and money obtaining and maintaining their BCU coaching certifications tend to be quite sensitive about people "cheating" by coaching above their certification level.

    The BCU was created around local paddling clubs and bringing new people up into the sport. It's not about restricting learning, far from it.

    Woods Hole passage, 3/8

    in Trip Reports

    Posted

    Tried out woods Hole passage with 45F air, 31F water, and heavy ice. (Kinda like Labrador last summer.) At one point ALL the passage buoys were submerged, but a few kept popping up through the ice. I didn't have the brawn to play with both ice and current, just spent a great couple hrs watching the ice float by and play ice bumper-boats. It was really pretty awesome. Most USCG buoys in the area have drifted considerably or are just plain gone. One of the outside channel markers was right next to the NOAA dock, a trip of ~1.5 miles. I would absolutely not trust USCG buoys until a Notice to Mariners comes out sayint rthey're all back in place.

    I would love to see some pictures. The water by me is too solid for a paddle. I was able to do a ~10 mile hike on the ocean two weeks ago.

    post-100196-0-41412800-1426106007_thumb.

    Cape Ann camping considerations

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    New to the board. Planning a two day trip around Cape Ann on May 11 and 12. We were planning on camping at Thatchers, but they do not open until June. Does anyone know if we can camp there during the off season. We do not need any facilities and we are carry in/ carry out. Also, does anyone know of a different spot to camp.....even if it is right on the beach? Thank you kindly.

    You might just think of it as a day trip. Paddling around Cape Ann used to be my default day trip when I wasn't able to find other people to paddle with.

    How hard is it to paddle this winter?

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    What a great pic! And yes, where were you planning to go?

    Is does occur to me now that the car sized drift in front of my garage might actually make it easier to load my boat onto the car, if I could just get the boat out of the garage that is...

    For now I went out on my snowshoes for a bit today, nothing like walking on water...

    It's hard to paddle when your able to walk where one should be paddling. This is one of the pictures I took on my Casco Bay walk Saturday.

    post-100196-0-70377300-1424702994_thumb.

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